Howard Johnson Inn - Chicago - Chicago, USA 

Kinda shabby - but close to everything
Posted: Wed, Oct 17 2007
We stayed at the Howard Johnson on a recent busy weekend in Chicago, and loved that this was downtown and close to public transportation and good food, etc. The rates were a little high, but not too bad for summer in Chicago. It's great that there's parking available, and we were lucky enough to arrive at a time (around 1 p.m. on a Friday) when there were a few spots open, although the guys that came in after me didn't get a spot. (Good luck finding something nearby!) Everyone at the front desk was nice, but from the moment you walk in, you feel like you're in the 1960s. The hotel does not seem to have been updated for decades - which is kinda quaint (and probably makes it easier to snag those good rates sometimes) - but also kinda sad. Our room was a decent size, the air conditioning worked wonderfully and housekeeping was excellent. But, just getting ice or a bottle of water made for a somewhat scary walk through dimly lit, random hallways. Overall - you won't feel like you're getting a bargain here, even if you get a dicounted rate. It's just slightly shabby. But it is in a great part of town - near a subway stop and (if you're into that sort of thing) all the touristy stuff (Ed Debevic's, Hard Rock Cafe, Pizzeria Due, etc. - and Michigan Ave. shopping too).

this is value for money
Posted: Sat, Jul 07 2007
I have stayed at this hotel now twice, and both times enjoyed the stay. The first time was in September 2005, I was in town for a wedding and spend 3 nights in de HoJo, after that I spend 3 nights in the Intercontinental, which I regret because the HoJo is much beter value for money. Last summer i stayed again in this place, our room was small, but clean, and right next door to the cafe which serves a good breakfast! Right next door is also a good Irish pub. Anyway if I have to book a hotel again in chicago, this will be the one! Ok it is outdated, but on the other hand not as expensive [--] the rest downtown, and also a good thing you can park your car onsite for free! The staff do rent out the parking space on saturdaynight to earn some $$ themselves, so, you can forget to get your car than because the whole paking is full.

Clean safe room for good price, nice convenient area
Posted: Mon, May 07 2007
I was in Chicago for the weekend, visiting some family and meeting friends for a few days. My hope was to find a decent hotel close to the downtown area I would be going to most and not be too expensive. Most hotels in the area were outragiously high (around $300 a night). I finally found the Howard Johnson, but saw mixed reviews here and at other sites. I took the chance and was pleasantly surprised. The room was clean and decently maintained. It was an older hotel, with older furnishings, but I basically wanted a clean room to sleep and shower in. And HoJo provided it! It was easlily within walking distance to Hard Rock Cafe, House of Blues, Coyote Ugly, Rock Bottom Brewery and many local restaurants. The area was nicely lit, and felt safe. And if you needed to go further around town, it was easy to get a cab. For my next trip to Chicago, this will be the first place I check for availability.